Five Greater Bay Area yachts cleared for Hong Kong visits under new accreditation scheme
Five yachts from the Greater Bay Area have been approved to sail into Hong Kong waters as a new cross-border accreditation system starts on Friday.
A new programme launched by the Hong Kong Marine Department permits yacht masters from the Greater Bay Area to sit for accreditation exams in mainland China, removing the need to travel to Hong Kong. The first five yachts have already been granted permission to enter Hong Kong waters, with owners submitting pre-arrival vetting information online. Approved vessels may berth at any of five designated anchorages - Stanley, Tai Tam, Repulse Bay, Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung and Tai O - which together can accommodate up to 115 yachts up to 40 metres long.
Director of Marine Wong Sai-fat said there is currently no need for a daily visit cap, citing ample berthing space. Around 300 mainland yacht masters have so far passed the accreditation, and a monitoring system will alert crews to AIS failures or accidental entry into restricted zones, backed by increased patrols in the anchorage areas.
Why it matters
The scheme streamlines cross-border yachting, boosting tourism and maritime activity while enhancing safety oversight.
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